They came to study the Bible.
For some reason, these ladies reminded me of beautiful fabric flags - all different colors - all strung together, like a banner at a birthday party, or like flags on a sailboat. Some faded and ragged at the edges, almost worn thin. Some were still young and vibrant, skeptical and unsure this was the right place for them. But all of these ladies had spent considerable time flying storm-tossed. All had been whipped violently back and forth. Wet rain had pelted them in the form of addiction for who knows how long, addiction that just kept coming at them. Most hung limp, just so, so tired of the fight.
But there, steady and strong, undeniable, was a light in their eyes, ready for hope. Deep, deep hope.
This Sunday morning was like the wind finally, for an hour at least, stopped its fury. They came to rest. And in the storm, they found a Rock that was higher than they were. A Rock Who wanted to say, “Peace” to their storms.
We gathered around, Bibles open. I was so nervous. Who was I to bring anything? But what struck me was how hungry they all were. We may as well have been sitting around the dinner table. A lifetime of starving, they had finally come to feast.
We had all been waiting for this day.
They looked at me, all smiles and eagerness. Big breath, I launched in. A crier by nature, I had to keep from tearing up the whole time; never, ever have I been more humbled.
I asked them what their experience was with the Bible. Some tried to be in it every day. Some not so much. One was refreshingly bold, “I’ve been in recovery from addiction, but from being an atheist too. I’m just here to check it out.”
One held up the black hard-bound Bible I had just given her - the one dusty from the storage area every church has. “This is the first time I’ve picked one up.” My heart thumps with one-off prayers: "Thank You, Jesus!" And then, "Please, Jesus, she's so lost..."
“I’ve only been saved a couple of months ago. I don’t know what’s in here. But I want to.”
“I’m getting baptized today!”
There has never been more holy ground.
We talked about the Bible - how it’s 66 little books, not just one. Many authors over many, many years. Different translations. Already they were asking such good questions! I told one she was already a Bible scholar. She blushed and I just about died. I want so badly for her to really believe it. I want so badly for them to believe.
“What’s a disciple?” “Well, it’s a fancy word for a student. There were 12 of them, special, who got to hang out with Jesus. But do you know what, we can be too.”
Lightbulbs flashing over heads - pop, pop, pop - is the most amazing sight. Like a thousand pictures taken at a concert, my mind wanted to capture each moment. There’s so much they don’t know! So many stories. So much I realize I take for granted. What an exciting adventure to be on the journey of discovery with them!
We read John 1:1-5 and it’s enough. Jesus was there in the beginning- this Word made flesh - and His light shines in the darkness. And the darkness has not overcome it.
These ladies know darkness. I don’t have to tell them twice about this world being a dark place. And yet, here is Truth, telling them light is dawning.
“It’s like there’s purpose in my life. If Jesus was there at the beginning, and He’s the Word, and the Word is right here. It’s like He knew I’d be here too.” YES, girl!
I hand them copies of only one week's worth of a devotional on John I started a year ago, but didn't know why. For seekers. For the hungry.
"It was for us!" They exclaim, and we all knew - amazingly - it was true. The moment is not lost on us... this divine appointment.
It’s time for one to go get baptized (hallelujah!), so we wrap up. No one wants it to end. We just got started. I ask if they want to pray, no one does out loud. I say I will this time, but I’m at a loss for words.
I just give this time to Him, an offering.
Thanking Him for the journey we're all on ... together.
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